An awkward box draw has not deterred punters from making Dyna Double One the hot favourite for Thursday night’s Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup (520m).
Last month’s Melbourne Cup winner is currently $1.70 with Sportsbet to take out Brisbane’s feature greyhound race following his dominant 29.53 victory in a heat last week.
Dyna Double One (pictured) will jump from box four in Thursday’s final, a draw in which he has a relatively poor record of one win from four previous starts.
Despite the unfavourable draw though, Dyna Double One is still the one to beat given his terrific form over the past month which has included three straight wins. The Andrea Dailly-trained greyhound also holds the track record for the 520m at Albion Park.
Standing in the way of Dyna Double One scoring a second Group 1 victory is Simpatico ($8), who will jump from box eight.
The Glenn Smith-trained greyhound finished second her in heat last week, but unlike Dyna Double One, should benefit from the draw in the cup.
Simpatico has two wins wearing the pink rug and looks a good chance of getting a clear run to the first turn on Thursday night.
“She’s not capable of running a 29.50 like Dyna Double One, but if she’s left alone she can run a good time,” Smith said.
“Her problem is that she’s had enough of these wide draws. She wants to find the fence rather than going around the others, so she’s not pinging the lids as she used to.
“Having said that, her run last week was absolutely outstanding (and) and she’s got five lengths’ improvement. She’s still got the wheels, don’t worry about that.”
Of the other runners, Flash Reality (box six, $7) scored a third consecutive victory with a 29.98 win last week and looks another good each way chance.
He recently broke the 431m track record at Ipswich and has won three of his six starts from box six.
NSW star Fantastic Spiral (box three, $7) won his heat in a relatively slow 30.14 but is capable of improving on that run.
The two-time Group winner has six wins and four minor placings from 10 previous starts from box three and if he starts better should be in contention at the finish.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
Group 1 Sky Racing Brisbane Cup Box Draw (Sportsbet prices in brackets): 1. Chatsworthy ($9) 2. Old Spice ($6) 3. Fantastic Spiral ($7) 4. Dyna Double One ($1.70) 5. Cervelo ($51)
6. Flash Reality ($7) 7. Simpatico ($8) 8. Cyndie’s Magic ($31). Reserves: 9. Inspector Cloud ($17) 10. Macnivek ($21).
Prices correct at the time of writing.
